Some good moths & a trip over to the Cemy.

Thursday 13th November 2025

A much brighter start to the day with a very light southerly wind again and temperatures around 14 degrees centigrade. As I had such a good turn out of moths yesterday, I decided to put the Moth Box again overnight and was rewarded with a good haul of Moths to examine. It was back to Pembroke Road again this morning where the weather was good and double figures of bird species were obtained.

My Moth Box:

Good to see a Blair's Mocha in November. I don't often trap so late in the year, but as it has been so mild, there has been a remarkable increase in Moth numbers.

A very good total for this time of year and again, most likely due to the very mild weather of late, with 29 moths of 10 species present and one interesting moth that flew off before I could get a photo of it, but looked good for a Cypress Carpet. The Blair’s Mocha and Turnip Moth were the first of the month. Micro moths dominated again with 11 Rusty-dot Pearls and 9 Light Brown Apple Moths making up the bulk of the total.

Above, my first Turnip Moth of the month and below, yet another Golden Twin-spot in my Box.

The Moths present this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Turnip Moth x1	Tree-mallow Tortrix x2
Golden Twin-spot x1	Ruddy Streak x1
Double-striped Pug x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x9
Blair’s Mocha x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x11
	Common Masoner x1
	Beautiful Plume x1

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

The weather remained bright though overcast this morning on my first shift, but on my second shift, clouds had totally rolled in and the threat of rain was imminent. There was hardly any wind this morning, but at least it was dry. A good total of 17 species were recorded today from both shifts of which the pick of the bunch included a male Sparrowhawk this afternoon, which flew low over the road and headed off northbound. A Song Thrush is always a good record here and a Grey Wagtail put in a very brief appearance as it called just once and I watched it fly off high west. Yet again, the Jays were showing very well throughout the morning and afternoon, though they did have a squabble with the Carrion Crows this afternoon!

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

This 'Herring Bone' cloud rolled in as I was leaving the Cemetery. Still nice to look at though and not a drop of wind present.

Once I had done one of my chores around midday, I got back and took the dogs out for an early afternoon walk around my local patch. It was still quite bright and sunny overhead, but ‘herring-bone’ cloud slowly drifted in from the south and I was to be disappointed to find one of the Council Workers on a very noisy Grass-cutter mowing away in the centre of the Cemetery by the Mausoleum. Thankfully, after ten minutes or so, he stopped to have his lunch and all was nice and quiet.

Above, this Jay showed very well up in one of the trees by the main footpath.

As soon as he stopped, I could easily pick up bird calls overhead as a Goldfinch flew over and landed on top of one of the tall Lime trees. A male Greenfinch landed in another tall tree, but too quick for me to grab a photo. I was much luckier when it came to the Jays as I caught one high up in one of the trees as it pecked away at an acorn for a few minutes (see photos). A few Great and Blue Tits were around, though they liked to remain secretive within the bushes. A gathering of at least 6 Blackbirds were around the bushes and a Song Thrush were amongst them, but again, too quick to grab a photo.

This immature Blackbird, mostly likely an immigrant bird, searching for food under the leaves along the footpath and below, most of the deciduous trees here are losing their leaves.

Above, this Cedar tree normally proves attracted to Goldcrests, but none were in there today. Below, an adult Blackbird was one of several around the central area of the Cemy.

No Woodpeckers and Sparrowhawks were seen during my hour here, but plenty of all the usual birds seen or heard. Even the Robins proved elusive today, though several were in song. It was nice to bump into a lady admiring how beautiful the Cemetery was looking. She even asked me what my Blog was called and wrote it down on her Mobile phone. I hope I don't disappoint her! She had seen the Green Woodpecker a few times here over the past few days, which is good news. I really had thought that the local Sparrowhawk had taken it.

Above, a lot of the footpaths were strewn with leaves, making it very Autumnal indeed. Below, I could not resist a photo of the distant moon over in the west.

Above, a few Ivy Bees were still nectaring on the Ivy plants and below, I took this photo of a juvenile Wood Pigeon perched up on a Chimney Pot on one of the nearby houses.

Above, just the one Goldfinch seen today within the Cemy and below, Smooth Sow-thistle plants were still abundant around the graves.

There were a few insects on the wing that included the likes of Marmalade Hoverflies, Ivy Bees and I even saw just one butterfly, a Red Admiral. The only plants I could find that were still in flower were the Smooth Sow-thistle and Yarrows.

The 'Herring bone' cloud formulation was spectacular over the Cemy.

In Hampshire today:

This superb photo of a Marsh Harrier was over Titchfield Haven today. Photo by Andy Tew.

Sadly, there was no sign whatsoever today of yesterday’s Penduline Tits, but the Great Grey Shrike was still present in the same place as Saturday and busy feeding on the Dragonflies there. Up to 6 Glossy Ibis were present at Titchfield Haven and a pair of Goosanders on the South Scrape. On Blashford Lakes today, a Black-necked Grebe was back on Ibsley Water.

On the rarity front, a female Pine Bunting had been found in a quarry at St. Aldhelms Head in Dorset. These are incredibly rare birds in the UK and will obviously cause a bit of a stir for all those ‘twitchers’ out there. I remember spending all day at Choseley Drying Barns in North Norfolk waiting for a bird to show itself after spending the previous couple of days there and ‘dipped’, many years ago. A male bird too! Also in Dorset, a drake Baikal Teal was still present at Abbotsbury Swannery, a species I also ‘dipped’ on a few years ago with Matt & Emma Parkes in Somerset.

A good haul of Moths for this time of year.

 Wednesday 12th November 2025.

One of two Golden Twin-spot Moths this morning.

These incredible mild temperatures continued this week where around midday today, it climbed up to 17 degrees centigrade! Last night was a bit stormy with strong winds and plenty of showers; but they died out by dawn, leaving behind a grey start but becoming brighter with a fresh Southerly wind.

I had the Moth Box overnight, which was a bit of a gamble really, but a gamble that paid off with a good total of moths present, including one of the rarer species.

My Moth Box:

One of three Jasmine Moths.

There was just enough light this morning to thoroughly check out the Moth Box and now that the White Sheet is up, I was hoping it just might attract more moths and it looked as though it paid off. Last night, both Jasmine Moth and a Rush Veneer were present on the sheet and so I potted those two so I could take some photos the next day.

Above, an Angle Shades and below, a Rush Veneer. Both probably migrant moths.

When I opened the Box, two Golden Twin-spots were resting on one of the egg trays, which was a nice surprise. Another two more Jasmine Moths were present along with Angle Shades and a Large Yellow Underwing were the two only other macro moths. Eight Rusty-dot Pearls was a good count for this species and a Tree-mallow Tortrix was my first for the month.

The moths present this morning included the following:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Golden Twin-spot x2	Jasmine Moth x3
Large Yellow Underwing x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x4
Angle Shades x1	Rusty-dot Pearl x8
	Rush Veneer x1
	Tree-mallow Tortrix x1

Other insects attracted to the Box included a Marmalade Hoverfly that was resting on top of the rainguard. A good friend of mine found a moth in her house and it was identified as a Mottled Umber and where I found the Common Marbled Carpet yesterday in Milton, Portsmouth; that particular moth had flown, but a Rusty-dot Pearl took its place.

Above, the Marmalade Hoverfly on my Moth Box and below, my friend Jackie had a Mottled Umber moth in her house last night.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

Near where I stood is Pembroke Close. The large garden sometimes holds a few notable birds. I have seen a couple of Ringed-necked Parakeets in the trees here and the local Jays are regular in this garden and the gardens behind this house. 

Similar to yesterday, just 13 bird species were recorded this morning in Pembroke Road of which it was the Jays that were entertaining this morning, with numerous sightings of the species throughout the hour I was there. Both Governor’s Green and the Bowling Green were rather quiet and the only other notable bird seen was a single Goldfinch flying north. There were at least three large flocks of Wood Pigeons that flew over and headed westbound; a familiar occurrence that has been happening daily.

This afternoon, two more bird species were also added to my day total: a Wren that was heard ‘churring’ somewhere by the Bowling Green and a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls flying high over the houses at Penny Street.

In Hampshire today:

One of the Penduline Tits at Titchfield Haven today. Photo by Mark Francis.

It seems that the Boat-tailed Grackle has reappeared in someone's garden at Holbury, Southampton, but better than that, up to three Penduline Tits had been found from the Spurgin Hide at Titchfield Haven. It seems that they have been calling over the past few days near the Hide, but finally, one showed itself today. A Ruddy Shelduck was with Egyptian Geese over the same Reserve, but did not settle and flew off west. 

This male Green Woodpecker was taken 5 years ago today in Highland Road Cemetery. I have a job to see one there now!

A very late Common Marbled Carpet moth today.

Monday 10th November 2025.

Herring Gulls and a few Black-headed Gulls searching for food on the wet grass on Governor's Green this morning.

An unsettled day with occasional showers and a bit of sunshine coming through the gaps in the clouds. Still mild though with temperatures around 13 degrees and a light southerly wind. It was back for another week at Pembroke Road again in Old Portsmouth; so what birding delights will we have this week? Interesting news comes in from Birdguides and a few Whatsapp Birding Groups of a White-throated Sparrow onboard one of the Cruise Liners in Southampton Dock on Friday. Also, an unconfirmed report of the Boat-tailed Grackle at Calshot Spit again. We shall see.

Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth:

When I arrived at 7.45am this morning, there were a good number of Herring Gulls and a few Black-headed Gulls searching for food in the wet grass on Governor’s Green to kick off my day here. Two Jays put in an appearance again and are now becoming a regular feature here. A Goldcrest was heard calling from the Holm Oaks and most of the usual bird species were here this morning during my first shift. In all, 14 bird species were logged.

This afternoon, on my second shift, again it was rather wet with rain on and off and eventually a huge downpour. A Great Black-backed Gull was seen flying over the Curtain Moat area and then on towards Portsmouth Harbour to add to my day total here at Pembroke Road.

I found this Common Marbled Carpet moth in Milton, Portsmouth, today.

On my travels during the day, I found a rather late Common Marbled Carpet moth sat on the entrance to a Retirement Home in Milton. On the subject of Moths, birding pal Emma Parkes, found a Mottled Umber moth at her place of work. I will have the Moth Box on a few nights this week to see if I can pick up a few more macro moths for November, though I don't expect many to be honest.

Emma Parkes found this Mottled Umber moth by here workplace.

In Hampshire today:

This Sanderling was at Hill Head. Photo by Pete Appleton.

The Great Grey Shrike was yet again showing well where we saw the bird last Saturday. At Hill Head, there was a late Wheatear present on the shoreline, but little else was reported today, though I think the poor weather had a lot to do with that.

The Great Grey Shrike at Bishops Dyke on Saturday. I digiscoped this bird using my Swarovski telescope and my mobile phone.

Two trips to the Cemy.

Sunday 9th November 2025.

I had managed to get the dogs out for a walk twice today, both times at Highland Road Cemetery; however, I only got to do around 30 minutes on each walk. It was fairly bright at first this morning with a heavy dew on the ground, but as the day wore on, it became a lot more overcast, though still quite mild for this time of year. I had the Moth Box on overnight, but I still have not put up my white sheet behind the Box which I shall get around doing that this coming week.

My Moth Box:

This Double-striped Pug was the only macro moth this morning.

Sadly, just five moths of 3 species this morning and was probably due to a cold night and mostly cloudless. I suppose five is better than nothing.

One of three Rusty-dot Pearl moths.

The following Moths were present in and around my Moth Box this morning:

MACRO MOTHS	MICRO MOTHS
Double-striped Pug x1	Light Brown Apple Moth x1
	Rusty-dot Pearl x3

While checking the Moth Box, there was a bit of bird movement going on overhead with a couple of large flocks of Wood Pigeons going over plus a flock of 5 Goldfinch and a few Linnets passing over.

Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea:

I do love the colour of the leaves in the Autumns. The various shades of green and gold are stunning.

As mentioned, the long grass was covered in heavy dew this morning as I took the dogs for their first walk of the day. However, though I took a few photos from my camera, I didn't get that far before the battery had run out on the camera! Bugger! So I made my way back home. A Goldcrest was heard calling deep within the conifer in the south-west corner, but apart from a lot of Wood Pigeons; all was quiet. On the way there, a Great Spotted Woodpecker flew high over Highland Road heading south.

Above, a recently tarmaced pathway in the centre of the Cemetery and below, it clouded up in the afternoon.

Above, I captured this shot of a Carrion Crow flying towards me and below, the stunning golds and greens of these trees and a dewy start to the early morning trip here.

This afternoon, I took the dogs out for their second walk back over the Cemy, though I only had around 40 minutes to walk them as the Cemetery now closes at 4pm. Again, it was very quiet with only Wood Pigeons, a few Carrion Crows and Magpies for company. Both Great Tit and Blue Tit were seen briefly and another Goldcrest was again heard deep within one of the bushes. OK, not a great deal to report, but the colour of the remaining leaves on the trees here was somewhat stunning to say the least.

In Hampshire today:

The Great Grey Shrike remained faithful to yesterday’s spot where we saw it today and a flock of 26 Fieldfare were seen in the area also. Over on Blashford Lakes, one of the re-introduced White-tailed Eagles was showing well in front of the Tern Hide. I suppose the weather wasn’t that great with it being mostly overcast and dull today, so I await to see what birding pal Geoff saw down at Farlington Marshes. Yesterday, a late report was sent of a pair of Penduline Tits in front of the Spurgen Hide at Titchfield Haven yesterday afternoon. Sadly, no further sign today.

The superb Pallas's Warbler at Peveril Point, Dorset yesterday. Photo by Emma Parkes.

A quick update: Geoff texted me tonight and said that Farlington Marshes today held 2 Peregrines, 2 Marsh Harriers, Sparrowhawk, 5 Greenshank, 2 Avocets, Raven, Water Rail, Kingfisher, 4 Rock Pipits, 2 Stonechats, Grey Wagtail, Chiffchaff and a Reed Bunting. A Garganey and a Curlew Sandpiper was on the Lake area in the morning.

Great Grey Shrike, Yellow-browed Warbler and Merlin. What a day!

Saturday 8th November 2025.

The superb Great Grey Shrike in Bishops Dyke.

Though the Boat-tailed Grackle had long departed Calshot Spit, there were still some interesting birds to go for today and on such a beautiful day, with near clear blue sky and plenty of sunshine and very mild temperatures; Geoff, Andy and myself had a superb day. So, with the Grackle gone, it was off first to Fishlake Meadows for the Yellow-browed Warbler and then onto Shatterford (actually Bishops Dyke) in the New Forest for our third attempt this season for the Great Grey Shrike. We rounded the superb day off with a trip to Pig Bush in search of another Yellow-browed Warbler.

Cowplain Marsh, Andy’s house:

Above, a dead Black Rustic moth and a 'just above alive' Feathered Thorn moth. Below, Geoffs MV Moth Trap.

Maybe I was just being lazy, but I never had my Moth Box on last night, regrettably, but Geoff had put his MV Moth Box on overnight in Andy’s Garden. Sadly, there was only one moth present, but a good moth nonetheless; a Feathered Thorn, which was my first for the year. I did look a little on the lifeless side, resting near the Box on one of the shelves and I did see it move to prove it was still alive! There was also a dead Black Rustic close by, but I decided not to give it CPR to improve the moth total here!

While enjoying a cup of coffee outside in Andy’s garden, we were treated to a variety of birds that included several very large flocks of Wood Pigeons flying over. At least three large flocks flew over and Geoff guessed at least involving around 150+ birds. Other birds noted included Goldfinches, Greenfinches, a few Chaffinches, a couple of Goldcrests and a Jay flying over. As we were just leaving, Geoff saw a ‘crest’ by the front garden and it turned out to be a Firecrest! I managed to see the bird briefly while I was sitting in the car. This was a first for ‘Cowplain Marsh!’

Fishlake Meadows, Romsey:

A male Sparrowhawk was one of several raptors over Fishlake Meadows.

Though we never ventured more than the first bench at Fishlake Meadows; for from the Car Park to the first bench is where the Yellow-browed Warbler was apparently being seen, we did eventually see the bird very briefly in one of the trees by the Canal Path, but it was a poor sighting nonetheless, though its call was diagnostic. We heard it again a little later somewhere near the Car Park, but simply could not locate the bird and so returned back to the same bench again where a fellow birder told us that he had great views of it and then watched it fly west over into some nearby Sallows. Sadly, there was no further sign of the bird, but during that couple of hours there, we did get to see some nice birds and also try out my new camera here as well.

Above, one of several Cormorants flying over the Reserve.

Above, a Long-tailed Tit balancing on a small twig and below, this male Goldcrest was searching for food in a bush by the bench.

In fact, I was struggling a bit to get some flight shots of some of the birds overhead, including a male Sparrowhawk that soared above us. After playing around with the Menu and a few other bits and pieces, I think I figured out what I was doing wrong in the end and to be honest, I was rather pleased with some of the results when I looked at my computer screen.

Above, another photo of one of the Long-tailed Tits and below, a Grey Heron flying over the reserve.

As mentioned, there were some nice birds around that included a gorgeous male Bullfinch that we saw several times along the footpath and over the reserve, we picked out a distant Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, a Common Buzzard and two Ravens flying in the gorgeous blue sky. Both Cetti’s Warblers and Water Rails were calling deep within cover and would not show for us, but a few Goldcrests put on a good show as did a small flock of Long-tailed Tits. It was with the Long-tailed Tits that the Yellow-browed Warbler suddenly appeared, but that moment didn't last long. A few high flying Siskins and Redpolls were seen flying over and after around a couple of hours, I suggested we head down to Shatterford Car Park for the Shrike (which had been seen this morning)

Shatterford and Bishop’s Dyke, New Forest:

Our first view of the Great Grey Shrike in Bishops Dyke.

The Car Park at Shatterford was near full and probably were all ‘birders’ cars too as we passed a lot of smiley faces on the way there to Bishop’s Dyke. A small party of Crossbills flew over the trees by the Railway Line as we made our way south and a few Meadow Pipits flew up from the neighbouring heath. As happy ‘birders’ passed us, some gave us exact directions on where to see the Shrike and nearing the big pool within Bishop’s Dyke, a flock of 15 Redwing flew over our heads.

Above, small Toadstools were growing out of the poo! Below, I only grabbed a quick snap of the passing male Merlin that flew over our heads.

Above, the woodland within Bishops Dyke was stunning, what with the sunshine pouring through the trees. I could have stayed here all day.

Joining around six people present in the same location overlooking the big pool, it didn't take long to pick out the Great Grey Shrike perched up on a tall conifer behind the pool. In the pleasant sunshine, the bird showed very well for all those concerned; chasing and catching Dragonflies that were abundant over the heath (mostly Common Darters). As I got busy taking a lot of photos of the bird, something caught my eye and amazingly, it was a female type Merlin flying overhead and thankfully, a lot of birders present caught sight of it too. That was my third ‘year-tick’ of the day and along with the Shrike and the Yellow-browed Warbler, it certainly was turning out to be a superb day indeed.

The first batch of some of the Great Grey Shrike photos.

It was time for lunch here and as I ate my sandwiches with relish, we had a superb, if not distant, show from the Great Grey Shrike. Overhead, more Crossbills, Redpolls and Siskins were flying over along with a distant Common Buzzard drifting low over the heath by Denny Wood. Very happy with the showy Great Grey Shrike, we made our way back to the car. 

Above, the Great Grey Shrike landed just the other side of the pond and below, Geoff correctly identified this fungus as Candle-snuff Fungus.

Above, the walk back to the car in Bishops Dyke and below, the heath looking north from Bishops Dyke.

Above, the boys enjoying the view and below, the Great Grey Shrike returned to land some 100ft away from us.

However, when we reached the second bridge, Andy picked out the Great Grey Shrike again, this time perched high up and not too far away, on a tall Silver Birch tree. Was this a second bird? Sadly not; as another birder joined us and told us that the Shrike we had seen earlier had flown east. Again, the bird was showing very well and then went off in search of prey over the heath. Amazingly, we watched it climb into the sky to chase a butterfly of which the insect escaped by flying down to the ground and ‘Kestrel-like’ it closed its wings and chased the butterfly down to the ground where it caught it and ate it in a nearby sprig poking out of the heather. A wonderful moment.

Above, the Great Grey Shrike was now in a different location out on the heath.

And now it was by the railway line.

It didn't end there either as the Shrike then flew over to Birch trees by the railway line and perched there for about 5 minutes or so and was enjoyed by a family group of birders. We were then surprised by a Kingfisher flying very low to the ground and then headed off into Bishops Dyke and out of sight.

Pig Bush, New Forest:

A cracking Marsh Tit enjoyed feasting on the Crab Apples by the wood at Pig Bush.

Earlier today, a Yellow-browed Warbler was seen in the southern end of the wood by Pig Bush Car Park and so I decided to round off our superb day here and spend a good hour in search of the bird. Sadly, we had no luck in finding it, but a pair of Marsh Tits put on a good display, feeding on Crab Apples that had fallen from the trees. A small flock of Long-tailed Tits had our hopes up and Geoff had seen a Chiffchaff among them. A Nuthatch showed briefly and a single Redpoll flew overhead and headed off southbound over the heath. All the time we were watching out for the Yellow-browed Warbler, a Dartford Warbler was calling behind us and I was lucky enough to see the bird briefly perched on one of the larger bushes on the heath until it flew down into the heather and out of view.

Above and below, a pair of Marsh Tits showed very well in the woodland at Pig Bush.

Above, Sulphur Tuft toadstools grew abundantly by the Car Park.

It had been a very good day for raptors with Marsh Harrier, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Merlin and on the M27 on the way back home, a Kestrel was seen hovering on the roadside bank.

Film footage of the Great Grey Shrike today.